Novak Djokovic gave a brutally honest response when asked how tennis players really feel about Jannik Sinner’s three-month ban from the sport.
It was announced on Saturday that Sinner will serve an immediate suspension after a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), in a decision described ‘dodgy as’ and ‘too convenient’ by Australian star Nick Kyrgios and former British No.1 Tim Henman respectively.
The Italian world No.1 superstar, who won the Australian Open title last month, failed two drug tests last year and is banned until May 4, meaning he won’t miss any Grand Slams and is free to play at the French Open.
Sinner twice tested positive for clostebol, a steroid that can be used to build muscle mass, with WADA accepting his explanation that he was accidentally contaminated by a massage from his physiotherapist, who had used a spray containing the banned substance to treat a finger cut.
The Sinner scandal has been a big talking point – with many feeling the 23-year-old has benefited from special treatment – and 24-time major winner Djokovic has now revealed how other players really feel about the situation.
‘It’s not a good image for our sport, that’s for sure,’ Djokovic said. ‘The majority of the players feel like there is favouritism happening.
‘It seems like it appears that you can almost affect the outcome if you are a top player, if you have access to the top lawyers and whatnot.’
Sinner isn’t the only tennis star accused of receiving special treatment due to his profile, following last month’s news that WADA will not appeal against the one-month ban handed to Polish world No.2 Iga Swiatek.
Swiatek, one of the biggest names on the WTA Tour, tested positive for trimetazidine but the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) ruled the adverse finding was due to a contaminated non-prescription medication.
Djokovic feels that Sinner and Swiatek were treated differently to Romania’s Simona Halep and British player Tara Moore, who were hit with significantly lengthier bans in cases which dragged on much longer.
‘Swiatek and Sinner are innocent and it’s proven, unless it’s proven otherwise,’ Djokovic added. ‘So, right now we know they’re innocent.
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